Combination switch lock



Feb. 3, 1925- Y L. L. CHESSMAN COMBINATION SWITCH LOCK Filed Au 6, 1923 2 Shoots-Sheet 1 VEA/TOFE.

L. L. CHESSMAN COMBINATION SWITCH LOCK Filed Aug. 6, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

LOUIS L. CHESSMAN, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

COMBINATION SWITCH LOCK.

Application filed August 6, 1923. Serial No. 656,093.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Louis L. GHnssMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination'SwitchLocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switches and has for its object to pro vide a combination switch lock.

Another object of the invention is to pro-' vide an electrical switch and means whereby the same can be operated only by a person knowing the combination at which the switch is set.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch lock and a combination lock control therefor.

With the above and such other objects in view as may hereinafter more fully appear, I have invented the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my switch lock;

Figure 2 is a similar View the casing being removed;

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof Figure 4 is a detail plan view of a swltch operating shaft;

Figure 5 is another view thereof;

Figure 6 is a detail view of a spring member; and

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a switch operating device.

Figures 8 and 9 are end views of one of the tumblers in different angular positions for respectively unlocking and locking the cylindrical rod passing therethrough.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the detached non-conducting bushings for one of the tumblers.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the following specification and in the several views in the drawings in which 1 indicates an electrical combination switch lock embracing a casing 2, having a front wall 3 with push buttons 4 and 5 projecting through apertures 6 and 7 therein. 8 is. a longitudinal window opening between the buttons 4 and 5 through peripheries are a serles of corresponding numbers 13, from 1 to 12 surrounding said ed 'es. mdhnted upon fiber non-conducting bushings 14 through which the cylindrical switch operating rod or member 15 slidably projects, the tumblers 9, 10, 11 and 12 having enlarged inner diameters 16 within which the keys 17 normally seat permittin the free rotation of said tumblers. Sai

tumblers are also provided with keyways 18 which are adapted to align with said key 17 so that when the keyways 18 of each of the bushings 14 are in alignment with the pins 17 on the member 15, said member 15 may be slidably moved through said bushings 14. The end 19 of the member 15 is beveled and is bifurcated as at 20 to receive a beveled flange or cam 21 carried by the push button 22. A spring 23 is coiled around the pin 22 and has one end attached to the member 21, and the other end attached to the wall 3 so that when the tumblers 9 to 12 are rotated to bring the recesses 18 thereof into alignment with the pins 17 the action of said spring 23 will draw the member 21 toward the wall 3, its beveled edge 24 operating in a slot 20, forces the rod 15 toward the switch bracket 25. This action presses he end 26 of the member 15 against the arm 27 of the rod 28 slidable in the bearing 29 toward said bracket 25 whereby the spring switch member 30 connects the binding posts 31 and 32 closing the circuit.

The rounded spring head 33 of the member 30 is adapted to drop into the recess 34 of the bracket 35 whereby the member 30 will be held in contact with the posts 31 and 32 until forced out of connection. The push rod 36 has a spring 37 coiled therearound one end of which is attached The said tumblers are all fixedlyto the plate 3 and the other end to 'the' iii around the end 40 of the member 15 and bears against the bracket 41 at one end and against the pin 42 in the member 15 at the other end whereby upon the shoving in of the button 22 the spring 39 will cause the rod 15 to slide toward the push rod 22. This action permits the tension of the spring 37 to draw the member 38 toward the wall causing its beveled flange or cam 43 to operate against the arm 27 and shove the same away from the bracket 25 causing the drawing of the switch connection 30 tromengagement with the posts 31 and 32 thus breaking the circuit. A leai spring 44 is mounted on the wall 3 and is provided with a series of fingers 45 one for engagement with each or said tumblers 9 to 12 whereby the same will not accidentally. rotate.

In Figure 1 the combination of numbers, 1 on tumbler 9, 9 on tumbler l0, 6 on tumbler 1.1 and 11 on tumbler 12, are brought into alignment-with the edge 46 of the window 8. The tumblers are so arranged on the bushings 14 that this combination brings the slots 18 of each of said tumblers into alignment with the pins 17 of the member 15 so that the switch operating rod 15 may be moved in either direction to throw the switch on or off as desired. it is obvious that the tumblers 9 to 11 may have their positions on the cylinders 14 changed so that one of a very large number of combinations maybe selected for operating the device. WVith a switch lock oi this arrangement a circuit can be locked closed or locked open, as desired and it will be almost a matter of impossibility for anyone to throw the switch without knowing the proper combination. A spring 47 is adapted toengage the head 48 of the member 24 whereby the latter will beheld against accidental slidable movement toward the bracket 25.

It is obvious that the members 21 and 43 may be reversed in their positions on thepush rods 22 and 36 so as to make the beveled edges of said members operate in an opposing direction in which case the ends of the springs 23 and 37 need not be attached to the wall 23 or the members 21 and 37, the control of the rod 15 in one direction in this case being manual and the control in the other 'direction'being spring controlled upon releasing the pressure upon the rods 22 and 26.

It is obvious that this combination switch lock may be used on any circuit making and breaking switch. It is especially adapt able for automobile use because the use of a key is eliminated and often keys become lost just when they are required for use.

Having described my invention that which I claim to be new and desire to procure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with an electric switch, of means for opening and closing the switch including an axially movable slide rod and a plurality of tumblers relatively adjustable angularly about the axis of the slide rod and controlling the axial movement thereof, and a push rod movable transversely of the axis of the slide rod and provided with means for moving said slide rod axially in one direction for throwing'the switch to one position, and a separate push rod movable transversely oi the axis of the slide rod for moving the switch to another position.

2. In a device of the character described, cooperative contact members, one of which is movable toward and from the other, in combination with means for operating the movable Contact member comprising an axially movable slide rod, and a series of tumblers mounted upon said slide rod for angular movement about the-axis thereof, means whereby the angular movement of any one of said tumblers from a predetermined position relatively to the other tumblers will prevent the axial movement of the slide rod and when all the tumblers are moved angularly to a certain position, will permit the axial movement of the slide rod, and a push rod movable transversely of the axis of the slide rod and provided with means for moving said slide rod axially.

3. in a device of the character described, cooperative contacts, one of which is movable toward and from the other, a slide rod movable axially in one direction for operating the movable contact member, a push rod movable transversely ot the axis of the slide rod and provided with means for effecting the axial-movement of said slide rod, a separate push rod movable transversely of the axis of the slide rodand provided with means for restoring the movable contact member to its starting position, a plurality of tumblers movable angularl'y about the axis of the slide rod and when in one-position, permitting such axial movemenh'and means actuated by the angular movement of any one of the tumblers t'ron'i said position tor preventing the axial movement of the slide rod- 4. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a. series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted CYlll'KlEBTS'mOYZLblQ therewith, the slots of said cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted-to operate in said slots, a 'slidable switch member controlled by said bar, and a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head.

5. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted cylinders movable therewith, the slots of said cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted to operate in said slots, a slidable switch member controlled by said bar, a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head, and a member adapted to engage said head to hold said switch member against accidental movement in one direction.

6. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted cylinders movable therewith, the slots of said cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted to operate in said slots, a slidable switch member controlled by said bar, a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head, and a member adapted to engage said head to hold said switch member against accidental movement in one direction, means for holding said switch member against accidental movement in the other direction.

7. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted cylinders movable therewith, the slots of said cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted to operate in said slots, a slidable switch member controlled by said bar, a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head, a member adapted to engage said head to hold said switch member against accidental movement in one direction, means for holding said switch member against accidental movement in the other direction, and a push button through which said bar is controlled.

8. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted cylinders movable therewith, the slots of said cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted to operate in said slots, a slidable switch member controlled by said bar, a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head, a member adapted to engage said head to hold said switch member against accidental movement in one direction, means for holding said switch member against accidental movement in the other direction, a push button through which said bar is controlled, and a push button through which said member is operated in one direction.

9. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted cylinders movable therewith, the slots ofsaid cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted to operate in said slots, a slidable switch member controlled by said bar, a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head, a member adapted to engage said head to hold said switch member against accidental movement in one direction, means for holding said switch member against accidental movement in the other direction, a push button through which said bar is controlled, and a push button through which said member is operated in one direction", means for holding said tumblers against accidental movement.

10. In an electrical switch a combination lock control for operating the same, said control embracing a slidable bar, a spring control for said bar, means for preventing the movement of said bar, means for permitting the movement thereof, said last means consisting of tumblers, said tumblers having a series of numbers thereon, said tumblers having slotted cylinders movable therewith, the slots of said cylinders being adapted to align, said bar having pins adapted to operate in said slots, a slidable switch member controlled by said bar, a circuit closing contact carried by said switch member, said contact having a spring head, a member adapted to engage said head to hold, said switch member tumbler oylinders having annular grooves w against accidental movement in one direcwhereby they may rotate around said pinsn tion, means for holding said switch rne n- In testimony whereof I aifix my signature her against accidental movement in the in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

other direction, a push button through which said bar is controlled, a push button v L. through Which said niernberis operated in Witnesses: one direction, and means for holding, said FRED REED,

tumblers against accidental movement, said i R. C. SABIN. 

